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Kevin De Bruyne’s two goals and an assist made him man of the match, while Martin Ødegaard was one of many to flail

Manchester City

Ederson Not much to do and what he did he did admirably, though will be disappointed by no clean sheet. 7

Kyle Walker Surprise selection, was as sharp as the rest of the rearguard – when needed. One jet-heeled clearance oozed control. 7

John Stones Excellent. Header that beat Ramsdale had him hovering perfectly before going back across the keeper, his ball having earlier initiated move for De Bruyne. 8

Rúben Dias Cool as usual apart from booking for scrape of White’s leg on stroke of half-time. Marshalled defence expertly. 7

Manuel Akanji Buccaneering run that took him all the way into Arsenal’s area was emblematic of City’s aggression and intent. 7

Rodri Always looked to receive, used angles smartly and was up for any feisty stuff: he is rarely ruffled. 7

Ilkay Gündogan Presence ensured City’s rhythm was as smooth as can be – a pipe-and-slippers display of poise. 8

Bernardo Silva Joined the press when he could, fashioned triangles with De Bruyne and Walker, flitted about at will. 7

Kevin De Bruyne Scorching opener, so smart a finish for his second. Also a dinked free-kick that made Stones’s header. 9

Jack Grealish Saw scant early possession but raced back to dispossess Saka and one chip into Haaland that the No 9 should have smashed in. 7

Erling Haaland A menace. Control and pass for De Bruyne’s first was followed by assist for the Belgian’s second. Got his goal at the death. 9

Subs Mahrez (for Gündogan 72) 7, Álvarez (for De Bruyne 80) 7 , Foden (for Grealish 87) 7

Arsenal

Aaron Ramsdale Will be disappointed not to have stopped either De Bruyne goal. Better were several saves off Haaland. Arsenal’s “best” player which says it all 5

Ben White Tremendous block of De Bruyne shot but was unable to get any grip on the latter or the bulldozing Haaland. 4

Rob Holding William Saliba’s stand-in will rue not clattering Haaland to stop him engineering first goal. Gains a mark for scoring. 4

Gabriel Magalhães Lucky not to concede an early penalty on De Bruyne; was made to appear an amateur on occasion. 5

Oleksandr Zinchenko Near-invisible. Grateful an error did not allow Silva to double lead. Part of pummelled defence. 4

Thomas Partey Frustrated alongside Xhaka, he spurned a long-range chance to equalise and could not disrupt City’s supreme midfield. 3

Granit Xhaka A non-factor who illustrated the gulf between sides as he would not be close to being a Pep Guardiola signing. Substituted. 3

Bukayo Saka Starved of quality – his corner at the end of the opening 45 was a rare bit of action for him. 5

Martin Ødegaard Anonymous first half from the captain got worse: after the break he ceded the ball to Haaland for City’s third. 3

Gabriel Martinelli Clumsy in the tackle, this game passed him by. The Brazilian was taken off and cannot complain. 3

Gabriel Jesus His face after first goal summed up his team’s struggles and from there they plunged. 5

Subs Jorginho 5 (for Xhaka, 60), Trossard 5 (for Martinelli, 60), Smith Rowe 5 (for Ødegaard, 71), Nelson 6 (for Saka, 80), Nketiah 6 (for Jesus, 80)

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